Australia warns of ‘strongest possible action’ if citizen killed in Ukraine
Al Jazeera7 days
Australia Threatens Action If Citizen Killed by Russia
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Above: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses journalists on Jan. 9, 2025, in Perth, Australia. Image copyright: Matt Jelonek/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned Moscow on Wednesday that Australia would take "the strongest action possible" if any harm has come to its citizen, Oscar Jenkins, a 32-year-old school teacher from Melbourne believed to have been taken prisoner by Russian troops.
Albanese's statement came after unnamed sources in Ukraine suggested Jenkins had been killed while in Russian custody. Jenkins, who joined Ukrainian forces, appeared in a December video showing him being interrogated and struck while in military uniform with his hands bound by an off-camera Russian-speaking individual.
The Spin
Anti-Russia narrative
The Russian Federation has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to treat all prisoners of war humanely and provide them with fair trials. Any harm to Jenkins would constitute a serious breach of international law and warrant severe diplomatic consequences, including potential expulsion of Russia's ambassador.
Pro-Russia narrative
Foreign fighters in Ukraine are considered mercenaries and legitimate military targets under Russian law. These individuals voluntarily participate in combat against Russian forces while armed, making them subject to Russian legal jurisdiction and military action.
